PDP SPLIT: Why We Formed New Faction – Baraje

Nigeria's ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, split into two factions on Saturday (the 15th anniversary of its creation) after seven governors and former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar, walked out of the party's convention ground in Abuja.

Hours later, the splinter-group held a mini convention at the Shehu Yar'Adua Centre and announced officers for its version of PDP, with a former chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, from Kwara state emerging the new chairman.

The governors who abandoned the PDP umbrella on Saturday are, Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa state, Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa state, Rabiu Kwankwaso of kano state and Ahmed of Kwara State.

Former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, emerged as the new faction's national secretary.

The national chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, and other top leaders of the party had addressed the gathering at the Eagle Square venue of the special convention, promising the party's readiness to allow internal democracy.

According to the factional national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Baraje, who addressed the press conference, the reason for the split is that, "new PDP" members were "worried by the increasing repression, restriction of freedom of association, arbitrary suspension of members and other such violations of democratic principles by a faction of our party led by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur."

"While we have done everything humanly possible to bring to the attention of critical stakeholders within the party the dangers inherent in the course being charted by that leadership, it has become very clear that the desperate permutations towards 2015 general elections have blinded certain people from the consequences of their actions."